“You’re always so earnest,” Emma said. “You wear your heart on your sleeve. When you say things like that, things that are so sweet they literally make my heart hurt, I want to believe you.”
“But you don’t, do you?”
“I want to.”
“How can I make you believe?”
Emma shrugged. “Maybe you’re not the one who has to make me believe,” she said. “Maybe I’m the one who has to finally let go and grow up. Life isn’t a fairytale. It’s certainly better than what I was living, though.”
Finn nodded, parking the Escalade in front of the apartment and killing the engine. He didn’t open the door right away. Instead, he reached over and grabbed her hand. They sat in the vehicle, silent, for almost ten full minutes. Then, they wordlessly exited together.
That night, when they made love, it was slow and sensuous. No words were spoken. No fervent groans and grunts were uttered. They just lost themselves in each other until they were spent.
When they were done, Finn wrapped his body around hers – warding away the evil memories that threatened her dreams – and protected her from her own dark thoughts with the only weapon he had: His heart.
Twenty-Two
“So, you’re taking her to a spa?”
Finn was confused. Mandy had been adamant when she called that morning. So now, inside the stairwell at Hardy Brothers Security, he was still unsure. He was also resigned to the fact that Mandy was going to get her way. Again.
“We’re all going to the spa,” Mandy replied. “Sophie, me, Ally, and Emma. It’s going to be a whole girl’s day. It will be fun. I promise.”
“James is letting you go out on a girl’s day,” Finn asked. “Forgive me if I find that unlikely. He’s glued to you these days, honey. I don’t think he’s ready to let you out of his sight.”
“Ah, see, that’s where you’re wrong,” Mandy said, smiling playfully. “I brought up the idea to him last night and we came to an agreement.”
“Was he strapped to the bed without any chance of escape when this happened?”
“That’s neither here nor there,” Mandy said, pushing her lips out into a pout. “He ultimately agreed. That’s the important thing. That’s all that matters.”
“And what is the agreement?” Finn pressed. He couldn’t wait to hear this.
“He gets to drop us off and pick us up,” Mandy said.
“That’s it?”
“And I have to text him once an hour to let him know we’re all safe,” Mandy added.
“Hmm, I’m surprised he agreed to that,” Finn said. “He’s been a little needy lately.”
“I don’t look at it as needy,” Mandy said. “He’s just trying to regain his footing. Cut him some slack.”
“Hey, I understand what he’s going through,” Finn said. “I feel the same way, quite frankly. I’m scared to let Emma out of my sight.”
“The spa is perfectly safe,” Mandy said. “The only thing she’s in danger of there is feeling like a pampered princess.”
Finn shifted. “You know, when you called and invited her this morning, she told me she’s never been to a spa,” Finn said. “She was really excited. I mean really excited. I don’t suppose … I mean … could you make sure she has a good time?”
“Everyone is going to have a good time,” Mandy said, her voice firm. “Do you really think I would take her to a spa and not make sure she has a good time? Does that even sound remotely like me?”
“I know she’s worried about money,” Finn said, reaching into his back pocket so he could retrieve his wallet. “If there’s anything she wants that she can’t afford … if there’s anything you think she should try … .”
Mandy smiled, patting Finn reassuringly on the arm. “That’s already taken care of.”
Finn cocked an eyebrow suspiciously. “How?”
“I negotiated your brother’s credit card last night, too.”
“He’s paying for this whole extravaganza?”
“He’s excited about it.”
“You must be a witch or something,” Finn said, smiling at Mandy and shaking his head. He glanced up the staircase when he heard a noise on the second floor, catching sight of his brother descending. “You’re paying for all this?”
James looked happy, even relaxed, like the thought of spending hundreds of dollars so four women could drink cucumber water and get rubbed by other men didn’t bother him in the slightest. “It’s a gift.”